Remember Horse Powertrain? It's the joint venture between Geely and Renault that makes various engines for Geely, Renault, and even select Mercedes-Benz vehicles. They also make hybrid powertrains to make engines perform more cleanly and efficiently when the need arises.

Well, Horse Powertrain has revealed a new engine that may just be what buyers need every time a flood rolls around. Say hello to the B20, a 2.0L turbocharged engine that the company claims meets the IPX8 waterproofing standards. In fact, the company says that even while the engine is submerged under 1.1 meters of water, the B20 can still operate normally, provided the air intake does not suck air in while the engine is running.

Horse Powertrain says the B20 was built with all-terrain capability in mind and can be used in hybrid vehicles, particularly SUVs and even pickup trucks. The company even mentioned that the B20 can maintain continuous power output under extreme high-load conditions such as off-roading. In real-world applications, the B20 is already seeing use in the Geely Galaxy Cruiser 700 PHEV.

But how does the B20 achieve its IPX8 waterproofing standards? The engine makes use of a fully sealed, waterproof structure and has torsional vibration dampers. It also comes with dedicated engine-transmission sealing to ensure the engine can continue operating even while submerged up to 1.1 meters of water. In addition, its electrical components and sensors also meet the IPX8 rating, which allows them to make automatic adjustments based on conditions while the engine is underwater, such as limiting power.

Power-wise, the engine produces between 190 PS and 252 PS, while torque output ranges between 300 and 380 Nm, depending on the settings. As mentioned earlier, the engine can be used in hybrid applications, as well as in PHEV and extended range EVs (EREVs). In terms of design, the engine features high-pressure injectors, high-tumble intake ports, and pistons designed for air-fuel mixing at the peak of the compression cycle.

With Horse Powertrain's B20 meeting waterproofing standards, we won't be surprised if the engine becomes more popular with brands.